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WorksheetsMineral Properties
Total questions: 32
Worksheet time: 1hrs 4mins
The above figure is testing the mineral's-
cleavage and fracture
hardness and color
luster and density
streak and magnetism
Gavin conducted a mineral identification experiment with an unknown mineral. He found that the mineral looked black, had a black streak, would fracture, and was sub metallic. What mineral did Gavin most likely find?
Bornite
Magnetite
Graphite
Biotite
A student was given an unknown mineral sample and told the mineral's hardness is approximately 3. This sample could only be what two minerals?
Bornite or Geothite
Hematite or Geothite
Biotite or Bornite
Graphite or Biotite
The color left behind when a mineral is rubbed against a rough surface is called its-
streak
imprint
trace
residual color
A naturally occurring, inorganic solid substance with a definite chemical composition and structure is called-
a mineral
a rock
an inorganic matrix
a building block of crystals
What is a method of identification that involves only visual observations of the mineral?
Density
Hardness
Melting Point
Luster
Which of the following terms is NOT used to describe luster?
Pearly
Metallic
Glassy
Beautiful
The minerals a rock is made up of is referred to as its-
hardness
texture
classification
composition
All of the following are physical properties used in mineral identification, except-
hardness
color
streak
length
Which statement most correctly describes minerals?
Minerals can be made of either elements or compounds.
Minerals are organic solids.
Water is a mineral.
Some minerals are man-made.
In classifying the hardness of minerals, the Mohs Scale is often used. This scale is shown on the left below. Using the information provided about the unknown minerals, what is the hardness of X, Y, and Z on the Mohs Scale?
Mineral X= 7
Mineral Y= 5
Mineral Z= 6
Mineral X= 6
Mineral Y= 7
Mineral Z= 6
Mineral X= 5
Mineral Y= 7
Mineral Z= 6
Mineral X= 7
Mineral Y= 6
Mineral Z= 5
Which mineral is the softest?
diamond
fluorite
topaz
quartz
What can we conclude about gemstones, like corundum and diamonds?
Gemstones cleave in the same way.
The densest materials are usually gemstones.
Gemstones usually look metallic.
Gemstones tend to be hard minerals.
Which of these are characteristics of a mineral?
Naturally occurring
Solid substance
Made by humans
Organic
Have a crystalline structure
When a sample of Magnetite breaks, it leaves a rough and jagged surface at the point of the break. This rough and jagged pattern of breakage is called-
Cleavage
Fracture
Effervesence
Specific Gravity
The chart shows the Mohs scale for measuring the hardness of minerals. A mineral that can scratch fluorite and can be scratched by orthoclase is able to-
scratch both calcite and quartz
be scratched by both calcite and quartz
scratch calcite and be scratched by quartz
scratch quartz and be scratched by calcite
According to Mohs Hardness Scale, which of these groups of minerals can scratch fluorite?
Diamond, gypsum, and quartz
Apatite, orthoclase, and corundum
Calcite, quartz, and topaz
Talc, gypsum, and calcite
A mineral can be formed from which of the following ways?
Precipitation
Magma cooling slowly
Evaporation of a liquid to form a precipitate
Rock being heated to form a liquid
What kind of luster does quartz have?
glassy (vitreous)
waxy
greasy
metallic
Which statement about rocks and minerals is NOT true?
Rocks and minerals are important natural resources.
All rocks are made of minerals.
All minerals are rocks.
Rocks contain important evidence of Earth's history.
A student has a mineral that can scratch a copper penny but be scratched by a steel file. What is the hardness of the student's mineral?
3.5
3
2
1.5
A student is determining the hardness of an unknown mineral. It will scratch Quartz and Feldspar. It is scratched by Corundum. What is the apparent hardness?
8
9
6
4
Which mineral property is the least useful?
Color
Luster
Density
Hardness
Magnetite shines and is classified as being metallic. What mineral property is this?
Hardness
Color
Streak
Luster
When a sample of Magnetite breaks, it leaves a rough and jagged surface. This rough breakage pattern is called-
Cleavage
Effervesence
Specific Gravity
Fracture
This mineral has a red streak.
Hematite
Magnetite
Sulfur
This mineral has a yellow streak.
Hematite
Magnetite
Sulfur
This mineral has a black streak.
Hematite
Magnetite
Sulfur
